[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             ENERGY POLICY

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, we are all facing the challenge of 
gasoline prices adding a new burden to family budgeting as well as 
small businesses and large businesses alike. It couldn't come at a 
worse time, in light of our recession and unemployment. But it is 
important for us to put into perspective where we are and how we should 
resolve this issue.
  When we look at the entire known reserves of oil and gas in the 
world--in the entire world--the United States has 3 percent--3 
percent--and each year the United States consumes 25 percent of the 
energy that is used in the world. So when I hear my colleagues on the 
other side come to the floor and say we can drill our way out of this, 
I say to them: That is unrealistic and doesn't reflect the reality of 
what we face today.
  Yes, we should have responsible drilling for oil and gas. We should 
be sensitive to the environment to avoid the kind of hazards and 
accidents we saw in the Gulf of Mexico, to protect that part of America 
and part of the world we believe should be preserved for future 
generations. But the notion if we could start drilling more our 
problems would go away is not only naive, it is wrong--flatout wrong.
  We heard the chants of ``drill, baby, drill'' a year and a half ago 
in the course of a Presidential campaign. It is not the answer to 
America's energy policy, ever. We still import $1 billion worth of oil 
a day into the United States. It is an indication of our dependence on 
foreign oil that any interruption in the Middle East or from other 
sources is going to raise our prices.
  What should we do about it? Several things. First, on the immediate 
agenda, we should look at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The 
President has to decide--and said Friday he was considering--on 
releasing oil we have saved in this reserve to bring down prices and 
keep the economy moving forward. I support that. I hope the President 
will do that.
  Secondly, we have to look at ways that the current oil pricing is 
being gamed by some financiers and speculators. From my point of view, 
this is something that needs to be not only examined but stopped. This 
speculation in oil prices runs up prices way too high, way too fast.
  Third, take a look at the oil companies themselves. The top five oil 
companies are extremely profitable and, in the midst of crises, they 
make even more money. That is the reality.
  Then, we need to step back and look at our national energy policy. 
How do we encourage the use of more efficient cars and trucks? Well, we 
don't do it by entertaining the amendment by the Republican leader in 
the Senate. He says the Environmental Protection Agency should step 
back from even encouraging the kind of fuel efficiency in cars and 
trucks which reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce pollution 
in the atmosphere. That is a step backward to the past. It is a 
rejection of basic science.
  So when the Republican leader comes to the floor and gives his 
prescription for today's energy challenge in America, I would say to 
him: The patient is not going to get well, Senator, with your 
prescription. We have to have a coordinated energy policy moving toward 
fuel efficiency, reducing the use of energy, and still fueling our 
economy with renewable and sustainable sources of energy that don't 
pollute the atmosphere.
  The Senator from Kentucky, who was giving us a speech this morning 
about energy, actually has an amendment he is preparing for the floor 
which removes the right of the Environmental Protection Agency to even 
deal with greenhouse gas emissions as they affect climate change and 
the world we live in. That is a stick-your-head-in-the-sand approach to 
an issue which future generations will look back on and say: What were 
they thinking; that they would ignore the reality of climate change in 
the world and the reality of what pollution is doing to our lungs, our 
health, our future. It is a reality that is being rejected by the 
Republican side of the aisle.
  Madam President, I ask how much time is remaining in morning 
business?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Four minutes on the majority side.
  Mr. DURBIN. I thank the Chair.

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